Medical Cannabis Use Doesn’t Adversely Impact Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes, Study Says

Posted on June 12, 2013 by David

“The physician-supervised use of medical marijuana does not adversely affect the outcomes of individuals enrolled in substance abuse treatment programs, according to clinical trial data published last week in the Harm Reduction Journal.

An investigator at Humboldt State University in California assessed whether medical cannabis use was associated with negative outcomes in patients referred to a substance abuse treatment program.

The study reported that treatment outcomes for medically authorized cannabis users were comparable to those of subjects who were not supervised to use the drug.

“Cannabis use did not seem to compromise substance abuse treatment amongst the medical marijuana using group, who (based on these preliminary data) fared equal to or better than non-medical marijuana users in several important outcome categories (e.g., treatment completion, criminal justice involvement, medical concerns),” the study concluded. “This exploratory study suggests that medical marijuana … may not adversely affect positive treatment outcomes.””

http://norml.org/news/2010/03/19/medical-cannabis-use-doesn-t-adversely-impact-substance-abuse-treatment-outcomes-study-says

“Medical marijuana users in substance abuse treatment” Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2848643/

Marijuana Derivative May Offer Hope in Cocaine Addiction – TIME

Posted on June 8, 2013 by David

“A new study in mice has found that activating a receptor affected by marijuana can dramatically reduce cocaine consumption. The research suggests that new anti-addiction drugs might be developed using synthetic versions of cannabidiol (CBD), the marijuana component that activates the receptor—or even by using the purified natural compound itself.

Researchers formerly believed that the receptor, known as CB2, was not found in the brain and that therefore CBD had no psychoactive effects. But a growing body of research suggests otherwise. After THC, CBD is the second most prevalent active compound in marijuana.”

More: http://healthland.time.com/2011/07/26/marijuana-derivative-may-offer-hope-in-cocaine-addiction/

Transient changes in the endocannabinoid system after acute and chronic ethanol exposure and abstinence in the rat: a combined PET and microdialysis study.

Posted on June 7, 2013 by David

“Recent biochemical and post-mortem evidence suggests involvement of the endocannabinoid system in alcohol drinking behaviour and dependence…

CONCLUSION:

This study provides in vivo evidence that acute ethanol consumption is associated with enhanced endocannabinoid signalling in the NAcc, indicated by an increased CB1R binding and AEA content. In addition, chronic ethanol exposure leads to regional dysfunctions in CB1R levels, involving the hippocampus and caudate-putamen that are reversible within 2 weeks in this animal model.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23740372

Colombia’s controversial cure for coke addicts: Give them marijuana

Posted on June 4, 2013 by David

“Marijuana has long been accused of being a gateway to deadlier vices. But could cannabis be a swinging door that might also lead people away from hard drugs? That’s what this capital city is trying to find out.

In a controversial public health project, Bogota will supply marijuana to 300 addicts of bazuco, a cheap cocaine derivative that generates crack-like highs and is as addictive as heroin.

For the most desperate users, the cannabis cure may be the only way out.

“People accuse us of turning bazuco addicts into marijuana addicts but that’s an urban myth,” he said. “This program is about reducing personal harm and the risks to society.”

Authorities believe they might rescue some of the addicts by supplying them with quality controlled medical marijuana with a high THC content (the mind-altering component of marijuana), specifically selected to relieve the anxiety that comes with kicking bazuco.”

More: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/06/03/colombias_controversial_cure_for_coke_addicts_give_them_marijuana.html

Dysregulation of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor and Associated Signaling Networks in Brains of Cocaine Addicts and Cocaine-Treated Rodents.

Posted on June 4, 2013 by David

The endocannabinoid system is implicated in the neurobiology of cocaine addiction. This study evaluated the status of cannabinoid CB₁ and CB₂ receptors, the endocytic cycle of CB₁ receptors, receptor regulatory kinases (GRK), and associated signaling (mTOR and p70S6K) in brain cortex of drug abusers and cocaine- and cannabinoid-treated rodents…

In long-term cocaine addicts, mTOR and p70S6K activations were not altered when compared with controls, indicating that CB₁ receptor signaling was dampened. The dysregulation of CB₁ receptor, GRK2/3/5, and mTOR/p70S6K signaling by cocaine may contribute to alterations of neuroplasticity and/or neurotoxicity in brains of cocaine addicts.”

More: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23727505

Study finds medical marijuana has no impact on teen drug abuse

Posted on June 3, 2013 by David

“A working paper published Monday (PDF) claims that, despite the insistence of numerous U.S. officials, legalizing medical marijuana had no distinguishable effect on teen drug abuse rates in the surrounding communities.”

Medical marijuana via Andre Blais / Shutterstock

“Drawing upon data from 13 states from 1993 – 2009, professors from Montana State University, the University of Oregon and the University of Colorado Denver found that medical marijuana actually had a negative impact on the consumption of cocaine, the use of which declined 1.9 percent in areas that had legalized medical marijuana. It had no statistically significant impact on teen marijuana use.”

More: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/06/18/study-finds-medical-marijuana-has-no-impact-on-teen-drug-abuse/

Pot Users Less Likely to Take Painkiller

Posted on June 3, 2013 by David

“Marijuana and hydrocodone are two of the most widely used and abused drugs in the U.S. But according to a new study by one of the nation’s largest drug screening companies, chronic pain patients who are prescribed hydrocodone are less likely to take the painkiller if they are using marijuana.”

More: http://americannewsreport.com/nationalpainreport/pot-users-less-likely-to-take-painkiller-8819408.html

The endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic exploitation.

Posted on May 24, 2013 by David

Image result for Nat Rev Drug Discov.

“The term ‘endocannabinoid’ – originally coined in the mid-1990s after the discovery of membrane receptors for the psychoactive principle in Cannabis, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and their endogenous ligands – now indicates a whole signalling system that comprises cannabinoid receptors, endogenous ligands and enzymes for ligand biosynthesis and inactivation. This system seems to be involved in an ever-increasing number of pathological conditions. With novel products already being aimed at the pharmaceutical market little more than a decade since the discovery of cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system seems to hold even more promise for the future development of therapeutic drugs. We explore the conditions under which the potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system might be realized in the years to come.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15340387

http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v3/n9/full/nrd1495.html

Cannabidiol reduces cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers: Preliminary findings.

Posted on May 21, 2013 by David

“The role of the endocannabinoid system in nicotine addiction is being increasingly acknowledged. We conducted a pilot, randomised double blind placebo controlled study set out to assess the impact of the ad-hoc use of cannabidiol (CBD) in smokers who wished to stop smoking.

24 smokers were randomised to receive an inhaler of CBD (n=12) or placebo (n=12) for one week, they were instructed to use the inhaler when they felt the urge to smoke.

Over the treatment week, placebo treated smokers showed no differences in number of cigarettes smoked.

In contrast, those treated with CBD significantly reduced the number of cigarettes smoked by ~40% during treatment.

Results also indicated some maintenance of this effect at follow-up.

These preliminary data, combined with the strong preclinical rationale for use of this compound, suggest CBD to be a potential treatment for nicotine addiction that warrants further exploration.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23685330

The association between cigarette smoking and drug abuse in the United States.